08/15/06
Both the Kedzie and Rockwell stations on the Brown Line will re-open to customers at 4:45 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16. Both stations had been temporarily closed since February 20 as part of the capacity expansion project on the Brown Line. The stations will re-open for service on Wednesday, however, construction work at the stations will continue through fall.
A major portion of the reconstruction has been completed at Kedzie and Rockwell including new glass station houses, new platforms, brighter lighting and accessible features including ramps, tactile edging and accessible gates. A new auxiliary entrance (formerly an exit only) at the west end of the Kedzie station at Spaulding Avenue has also been completed.
Construction crews will continue to work in the weeks ahead to complete construction. These finishing touches include permanent station signs, a compass rose to help customers more easily navigate the system, and new fencing along the alley.
Opening the Kedzie and Rockwell stations brings the total number of accessible CTA rail stations to 74 out of 144, or 51 percent. Providing station enhancements in accordance with American with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines is just one important aspect of the project, which also includes building longer platforms to accommodate eight-car trains once the project is completed in 2009 instead of the six-car trains currently in use.
During the temporary closure of the Kedzie and Rockwell stations, rail customers were encouraged to board at nearby stations ? Kimball, Francisco and Western ? or to use existing CTA bus service near the stations. A free bus shuttle also was provided on the select weekends when the Kimball and Francisco stations were closed in order to allow construction crews unlimited access to the Kedzie and Rockwell stations free of rail traffic.
Thirteen other stations on the line are subject to temporary closure at different points during construction. Work will be scheduled so that no two consecutive stations are closed at the same time on weekdays.
Temporary closures are necessary in order to have the type of access needed to extend platforms, make stations accessible, stay within budget and keep the project on schedule.
Construction work will soon be underway at the nearby Francisco and Kimball stations. The Kimball station will temporarily close for four months during its nine month construction period. The Francisco station will close for six months during its 11 month construction period. Both stations will close temporarily in the fall and CTA will provide advance notice and alternate service options for customers as that schedule is finalized.
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